Festive Fourth celebrated in historic New Bern

Tourists and local residents gather to watch as reenactors prepare to read the Declaration of Independence from the Palace steps Thursday morning at Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens.

Bill Hand/Sun Journal

By Bill Hand, Sun Journal staff

Published: Thursday, July 4, 2013 at 07:52 PM.

From a 5k race for wounded warriors to dueling Declaration readings to hotdogs and fireworks, New Bern was a busy place on July Fourth, the 237th anniversary of the United States.

Early risers and running fans started the day with the New Bern Run For The Warriors 5k. Race director Mona Sims said that the organization raised about $30,000 for wounded veteran programs.

River Bend held its annual Fourth of July parade at 10:30 a.m. and featured a long line of classic and antique cars. The brief but popular parade was attended by about 120 residents and guests.

Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens opened its grounds free to the public. In addition to strolls through carefully cultivated gardens, tourists were able to visit with a number of costumed interpreters who spoke of the year 1783 — shortly before the Peace of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, when King George III officially granted nationhood to the United States.

A number of colonial games, including bowls and hoops, were offered to tourists, while the day culminated with the 11 a.m. reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Usually the Palace uses William Hooper, a Declaration signer from the Wilmington area, who died in Hillsborough in 1790. For its 1783 interpretation however, the Palace chose to have another sign, John Penn, greeted by North Carolina governor Alexander Martin. Following introductions at 11 a.m., Penn read the nation’s founding declaration before some 200 viewers, eliciting both cheers and boos from them. His reading was followed by a performance of the Palace’s Fife and Drum Corps.

From a 5k race for wounded warriors to dueling Declaration readings to hotdogs and fireworks, New Bern was a busy place on July Fourth, the 237th anniversary of the United States.

Early risers and running fans started the day with the New Bern Run For The Warriors 5k. Race director Mona Sims said that the organization raised about $30,000 for wounded veteran programs.

River Bend held its annual Fourth of July parade at 10:30 a.m. and featured a long line of classic and antique cars. The brief but popular parade was attended by about 120 residents and guests.

Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens opened its grounds free to the public. In addition to strolls through carefully cultivated gardens, tourists were able to visit with a number of costumed interpreters who spoke of the year 1783 — shortly before the Peace of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, when King George III officially granted nationhood to the United States.

A number of colonial games, including bowls and hoops, were offered to tourists, while the day culminated with the 11 a.m. reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Usually the Palace uses William Hooper, a Declaration signer from the Wilmington area, who died in Hillsborough in 1790. For its 1783 interpretation however, the Palace chose to have another sign, John Penn, greeted by North Carolina governor Alexander Martin. Following introductions at 11 a.m., Penn read the nation’s founding declaration before some 200 viewers, eliciting both cheers and boos from them. His reading was followed by a performance of the Palace’s Fife and Drum Corps.

The Poppes provided period music throughout the day.

The city of New Bern officially began its own celebration at 3 p.m. when inflatables and facing painting opened for children at Lawson’s Creek Park. A misting tent was also provided as relief against the heat while food venders sold wares.

A concert by the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing band was scheduled to run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. along with fireworks after dark.